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iMore's Rene Ritchie recently predicted in a report that Apple will launch the fifth-generation model of the tablet sometime next month. He also confirmed some of the recent rumors which state that Apple will redesign the device's casing for the new model.

Ritchie also touched on the next-generation iPad Mini, stating that he was unsure if Apple was going to make it have a Retina display. He doesn't believe Apple will release a new iPad Mini that doesn't have as good battery life as the current model. If it is released in April with the fifth-generation iPad, it might come with a slight specifications bump, or some other kind of upgrade aside from a Retina screen.

Older rumors have suggested a fall release date for a Retina iPad Mini. MacRumors suggests that Apple could end up releasing two iPads based on many of the current rumors. It would also line up with its release schedule from last year, where it launched two new iPads within six months of each other.

iMore has been very accurate with Apple releases. The site predicted that Apple would release the Lightning connector several months before it launched, and also accurately predicted the iPad Mini launch date and the iPhone 5 announcement.

Apple appears to be gearing up for a very busy 2013. The company is expected to launch a slew of new devices including these two tablets, along with a low-cost iPhone and the successor to the iPhone 5. One of these devices could end up featuring a larger screen when they are released.

Samsung, a company that is arguably Apple's toughest competitor, will unveil its Galaxy S4 smartphone later on this month.